Jones Lang LaSalle Reports Strong Growth for Third Quarter 2011

CHICAGO, Nov. 2, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated (NYSE: JLL) today reported strong revenue and profit growth for the quarter ended September 30, 2011.

• Revenue for the quarter rose 28 percent to $903 million
  • Improved performance led by Asia Pacific and LaSalle Investment Management
  • Increased annuity revenue from Property & Facility Management in all regions, led by the Americas
• Adjusted net income for the quarter up 30 percent to $50 million, or $1.12 per share
• Strong start to the King Sturge integration in EMEA

Net income on a U.S. GAAP basis was $34 million, or $0.76 per share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2011. The decline in net income from $37 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 was the result of acquisition-related expenses in 2011. Adjusting for Restructuring and acquisition charges and intangible amortization related to the King Sturge acquisition, net income for the third quarter of 2011 was $50 million, or $1.12 per share. Revenue for the third quarter of 2011 was $903 million, an increase of 28 percent in U.S. dollars, 23 percent in local currency, compared with the third quarter of 2010.    

"Our third-quarter results were solid, and we continue to see healthy business pipelines into our seasonally strong fourth quarter," said Colin Dyer, President and Chief Executive Officer. "While helping our clients keep a careful watch on market conditions, we are extending our winning competitive position with increased market share and superior service delivery," Dyer added.

Consolidated Business Line Revenue Comparison

Revenue grew in the quarter across all three geographic segments and in LaSalle Investment Management driven by increased market share, the addition of King Sturge in EMEA and higher incentive fees. Strong conversion of the firm's business pipelines drove growth in the transactional businesses of Leasing and Capital Markets, while ongoing success in corporate outsourcing drove the nearly 20 percent growth in Property & Facility Management revenue.  

Operating expenses, excluding Restructuring and acquisition charges, were $833 million for the third quarter, an increase of 24 percent in local currency, compared with $646 million for the same period in 2010. The increase was driven by higher variable compensation and benefits resulting from improved transactional revenue generated in the quarter, and by variable costs to support client wins and to continue building the firm's pipeline.

Third-quarter results included $16 million of Restructuring and acquisition charges and $5 million of intangible amortization related to the King Sturge acquisition completed in EMEA during the second quarter of 2011. Restructuring and acquisition charges are excluded from segment operating results, although they are included for consolidated reporting. Intangible amortization from King Sturge is included in Depreciation and amortization in the firm's consolidated results as well as in EMEA's segment results.

Year-to-date operating expenses, excluding Restructuring and acquisition charges, were $2.3 billion, an increase of 20 percent in local currency compared with the first nine months of 2010.

Interest Expense, Credit Facility and Dividend

Net interest expense during the third quarter was $9.7 million, comparable with the second quarter of 2011 and down from $11.5 million in the third quarter last year. Outstanding debt on the firm's $1.1 billion long-term credit facility was $567 million. The Board of Directors declared a semi-annual dividend of $0.15 per share of its common stock, consistent with the semi-annual dividend paid in June 2011. The dividend payment will be made on Thursday, December 15, 2011, to holders of record at the close of business on Tuesday, November 15, 2011.

Business Segment Third-Quarter and Year-to-Date Performance Highlights

Americas Real Estate Services

Third-quarter revenue in the Americas region was $379 million, an increase of $70 million, or 22 percent in local currency, over the prior year and an increase of $31 million, or 9 percent in local currency, over the second quarter of 2011. The growth was led by Capital Markets & Hotels, Property & Facility Management, and Leasing. Year-to-date revenue in the region was $1.0 billion in 2011, compared with $833 million in 2010, an increase of 22 percent.

Operating expenses were $342 million in the third quarter and $938 million for the year to date, 26 percent and 24 percent higher than in the same periods a year ago, respectively.  The increase was driven by higher commission expense related to the higher Leasing and Capital Markets & Hotels revenue. Operating income improved to $37 million for the third quarter from $32 million for the second quarter of 2011, which represents a sequential incremental margin of 20 percent, excluding the impact of equity earnings.

EBITDA for the quarter and year to date ended September 30, 2011, was $46 million and $107 million, respectively.

EMEA Real Estate Services

EMEA's revenue in the third quarter of 2011 was $247 million, compared with $169 million in 2010, an increase of 46 percent, 38 percent in local currency. King Sturge contributed approximately $60 million of revenue for the third quarter of 2011. Year-to-date revenue in the region was $633 million in 2011, compared with $491 million in 2010, an increase of 29 percent, 21 percent in local currency.

Operating expenses, which include a full quarter of King Sturge ongoing operating expenses and $5 million of King Sturge intangibles amortization, were $247 million in the third quarter, an increase of 49 percent from the prior year, 40 percent in local currency. Gross contract vendor costs related to the PDS business line increased by more than $10 million in the quarter compared with the same period in the prior year. Year-to-date operating expenses were $639 million, an increase of 30 percent, 22 percent in local currency.

EBITDA for the third quarter was $10 million, compared with $7 million for the same period last year. Year-to-date EBITDA for 2011 was $14 million, compared with $13 million for the first nine months of 2010.

Asia Pacific Real Estate Services

Revenue in Asia Pacific was $201 million for the third quarter of 2011, compared with $165 million for the same period in 2010, an increase of 22 percent, 12 percent in local currency.  The year-over-year increase was driven by continued growth in our market-leading positions in Greater China and India. Year-to-date revenue in the region was $581 million in 2011, an increase of 28 percent compared with the same period in 2010, 18 percent in local currency.

Operating expenses for the region were $187 million for the quarter, an increase of 18 percent, 10 percent in local currency on a year-over-year basis.  The increase was primarily due to staff and gross contract vendor costs that related to a higher volume of PDS work, as well as other corporate client activities. Operating expenses were $540 million for the first nine months of 2011, compared with $432 million in 2010, an increase of 25 percent, 16 percent in local currency.

The region's EBITDA for the third quarter of 2011 was $17 million, compared with $11 million for the third quarter of 2010. Year-to-date EBITDA for 2011 was $50 million, compared with $34 million for the first nine months of 2010.

LaSalle Investment Management

LaSalle Investment Management's third-quarter Advisory fees were $59 million, compared with $62 million for the third quarter of 2010. Year-to-date Advisory fees were $185 million, compared with $176 million for the first nine months of 2010. The business recognized higher incentive fees resulting from investment performance for clients.

LaSalle Investment Management raised nearly $5 billion of net equity in 2011, and assets under management were $47.9 billion at September 30, 2011.  EBITDA was $20 million, compared with $14 million in the third quarter of 2010. Year-to-date EBITDA was $46 million for 2011, compared with $33 million for the first nine months of 2010.

Summary

Solid revenue and profit growth in the quarter was driven by increased market share and outstanding execution for clients. Despite economic and sovereign-debt concerns, the firm's healthy business pipelines are expected to generate a positive finish for 2011 in the firm's seasonally strong fourth quarter. The firm's expanded local and regional service capabilities, connected global platform and leading investment management business, all supported by a strong balance sheet, are proving to be distinct competitive advantages.

About Jones Lang LaSalle

Jones Lang LaSalle (NYSE: JLL) is a financial and professional services firm specializing in real estate. The firm offers integrated services delivered by expert teams worldwide to clients seeking increased value by owning, occupying or investing in real estate. With 2010 global revenue of more than $2.9 billion, Jones Lang LaSalle serves clients in 70 countries from more than 1,000 locations worldwide, including 200 corporate offices.  The firm is an industry leader in property and corporate facility management services, with a portfolio of approximately 1.8 billion square feet worldwide. LaSalle Investment Management, the company's investment management business, is one of the world's largest and most diverse in real estate with $47.9 billion of assets under management. For further information, please visit our website, www.joneslanglasalle.com.

200 East Randolph Drive Chicago Illinois 60601 | 22 Hanover Square London W1A 2BN | 9 Raffles Place #39–00 Republic Plaza Singapore 048619

Statements in this press release regarding, among other things, future financial results and performance, achievements, plans and objectives and dividend payments may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance, achievements, plans and objectives of Jones Lang LaSalle to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include those discussed under "Business," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk," and elsewhere in Jones Lang LaSalle's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, in the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2011, and June 30, 2011, and in other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. There can be no assurance that future dividends will be declared since the actual declaration of future dividends, and the establishment of record and payment dates, remains subject to final determination by the Company's Board of Directors. Statements speak only as of the date of this release. Jones Lang LaSalle expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Jones Lang LaSalle's expectations or results, or any change in events.

Conference Call

The firm will conduct a conference call for shareholders, analysts and investment professionals on Thursday, November 3 at 9:00 a.m. EDT.

To participate in the teleconference, please dial into one of the following phone numbers five to 10 minutes before the start time:

• U.S. callers: +1 877 800 0896
• International callers: +1 706 679 7364
• Pass code: 17761706

Webcast

Follow these steps to listen to the webcast:

1. You must have a minimum 14.4 Kbps Internet connection

2. Log on to http://www.videonewswire.com/event.asp?id=82854 and follow instructions

3. Download free Windows Media Player software: (link located under registration form)

4. If you experience problems listening, send an e-mail to [email protected]  

Supplemental Information

Supplemental information regarding the third-quarter 2011 earnings call has been posted to the Investor Relations section of the company's website:  www.joneslanglasalle.com.

Conference Call Replay

Available: 12:00 p.m. EDT Thursday, November 3 through 11:59 p.m. EST November 10 at the following numbers:

• U.S. callers: +1 855 859 2056
• International callers: +1 404 537 3406
• Pass code: 17761706

Web Audio Replay

Audio replay will be available for download or stream. This information and link is also available on the company's website:  www.joneslanglasalle.com.

If you have any questions, call Yvonne Peterson of Jones Lang LaSalle's Investor Relations department at +1 312 228 2919.

JONES LANG LASALLE INCORPORATED

Financial Statement Notes

(1) Charges excluded from U.S. GAAP ("GAAP") net income attributable to common shareholders to arrive at adjusted net income for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2011, and September 30, 2010, are primarily Restructuring and acquisition charges, intangible amortization related to the recent King Sturge acquisition, and non-cash co-investment charges. Below are reconciliations of GAAP net income attributable to common shareholders to adjusted net income and calculations of earnings per share ("EPS") for each net income total:

(2) Adjusted EBITDA represents earnings before interest expense, net of interest income, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, adjusted for Restructuring and acquisition charges, and non-cash co-investment charges. Although adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures, they are used extensively by management and are useful to investors and lenders as metrics for evaluating operating performance and liquidity. EBITDA is used in the calculations of certain covenants related to the firm's revolving credit facility. However, adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income determined in accordance with GAAP. Because adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA are not calculated under GAAP, the firm's adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Below is a reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA (in thousands):

(3) For purposes of segment operating results, the allocation of restructuring charges to the segments has been determined to not be meaningful to investors, so the performance of segment results has been evaluated without allocation of these charges.

(4) Each geographic region offers the firm's full range of Real Estate Services businesses consisting primarily of tenant representation and agency leasing; capital markets; property management and facilities management; project and development services; and advisory, consulting and valuations services. The Investment Management segment provides investment management services to institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals.

(5) The consolidated statements of cash flows are presented in summarized form. For complete consolidated statements of cash flows, please refer to the firm's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011, to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission shortly.

(6) EMEA refers to Europe, Middle East and Africa.  MENA refers to Middle East and North Africa.  Greater China includes China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

(7) Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

SOURCE Jones Lang LaSalle Incorporated